ASTM D4318-00
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and Plasticity Index of Soils
Standard Test Methods for Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and Plasticity Index of Soils
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the liquid limit, plastic limit, and the plasticity index of soils as defined in Section 3 on Terminology.
1.2 Two methods for preparing test specimens are provided as follows: Wet preparation method, as described in 10.1. Dry preparation method, as described in 10.2. The method to be used shall be specified by the requesting authority. If no method is specified, use the wet preparation method.
1.2.1 The liquid and plastic limits of many soils that have been allowed to dry before testing may be considerably different from values obtained on non-dried samples. If the liquid and plastic limits of soils are used to correlate or estimate the engineering behavior of soils in their natural moist state, samples should not be permitted to dry before testing unless data on dried samples are specifically desired.
1.3 Two methods for determining the liquid limit are provided as follows: Method A, Multipoint test as described in Sections 11 and 12. Method B, One-point test as described in Sections 13 and 14. The method to be used shall be specified by the requesting authority. If no method is specified, use Method A.
1.3.1 The multipoint liquid limit method is generally more precise than the one-point method. It is recommended that the multipoint method be used in cases where test results may be subject to dispute, or where greater precision is required.
1.3.2 Because the one-point method requires the operator to judge when the test specimen is approximately at its liquid limit, it is particularly not recommended for use by inexperienced operators.
1.3.3 The correlation on which the calculations of the one-point method are based may not be valid for certain soils, such as organic soils or soils from a marine environment. It is strongly recommended that the liquid limit of these soils be determined by the multipoint method.
1.4 The plastic limit test is performed on material prepared for the liquid limit test.
1.5 The liquid limit and plastic limit of soils (along with the shrinkage limit) are often collectively referred to as the Atterberg limits. These limits distinguished the boundaries of the several consistency states of plastic soils.
1.6 The composition and concentration of soluble salts in a soil affect the values of the liquid and plastic limits as well as the water content values of soils (see Method D2216). Special consideration should therefore be given to soils from a marine environment or other sources where high soluble salt concentrations may be present. The degree to which the salts present in these soils are diluted or concentrated must be given careful consideration.
1.7 The methods described herein are performed only on that portion of a soil that passes the 425-um (No. 40) sieve. Therefore, the relative contribution of this portion of the soil to the properties of the sample as a whole must be considered when using these tests to evaluate properties of a soil.
1.8 The values stated in acceptable metric units are to be regarded as the standard, except as noted below. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.8.1 The standard units for the resilience tester covered in Annex A1 are inch-pound, not metric. The metric values given are for information only.
This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
General Information
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:D 4318–00
Standard Test Methods for
Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and Plasticity Index of Soils
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4318; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope * Atterberg limits. These limits distinguished the boundaries of
the several consistency states of plastic soils.
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the liquid
1.6 The composition and concentration of soluble salts in a
limit, plastic limit, and the plasticity index of soils as defined
soil affect the values of the liquid and plastic limits as well as
in Section 3 on Terminology.
the water content values of soils (see Method D 2216). Special
1.2 Two methods for preparing test specimens are provided
consideration should therefore be given to soils from a marine
as follows: Wet preparation method, as described in 10.1. Dry
environment or other sources where high soluble salt concen-
preparation method, as described in 10.2. The method to be
trations may be present. The degree to which the salts present
used shall be specified by the requesting authority. If no
in these soils are diluted or concentrated must be given careful
method is specified, use the wet preparation method.
consideration.
1.2.1 The liquid and plastic limits of many soils that have
1.7 The methods described herein are performed only on
been allowed to dry before testing may be considerably
that portion of a soil that passes the 425-µm (No. 40) sieve.
different from values obtained on non-dried samples. If the
Therefore, the relative contribution of this portion of the soil to
liquid and plastic limits of soils are used to correlate or
the properties of the sample as a whole must be considered
estimate the engineering behavior of soils in their natural moist
when using these tests to evaluate properties of a soil.
state, samples should not be permitted to dry before testing
1.8 The values stated in acceptable metric units are to be
unless data on dried samples are specifically desired.
regarded as the standard, except as noted below. The values
1.3 Two methods for determining the liquid limit are pro-
given in parentheses are for information only.
vided as follows: Method A, Multipoint test as described in
1.8.1 The standard units for the resilience tester covered in
Sections 11 and 12. Method B, One-point test as described in
AnnexA1 are inch-pound, not metric. The metric values given
Sections 13 and 14. The method to be used shall be specified
are for information only.
by the requesting authority. If no method is specified, use
1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Method A.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.3.1 The multipoint liquid limit method is generally more
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
precise than the one-point method. It is recommended that the
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
multipoint method be used in cases where test results may be
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
subject to dispute, or where greater precision is required.
1.3.2 Because the one-point method requires the operator to
2. Referenced Documents
judge when the test specimen is approximately at its liquid
2.1 ASTM Standards:
limit, it is particularly not recommended for use by inexperi-
C 702 Practice for Reducing Field Samples ofAggregate to
enced operators.
Testing Size
1.3.3 The correlation on which the calculations of the
D 75 Practice for Sampling Aggregates
one-point method are based may not be valid for certain soils,
D 420 Guide to Site Characterization for Engineering, De-
such as organic soils or soils from a marine environment. It is
sign, and Construction Purposes
strongly recommended that the liquid limit of these soils be
D 653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
determined by the multipoint method.
Fluids
1.4 The plastic limit test is performed on material prepared
D 1241 Specification for Materials for Soil-Aggregate Sub-
for the liquid limit test.
base, Base, and Surface Courses
1.5 The liquid limit and plastic limit of soils (along with the
D 2216 TestMethodforLaboratoryDeterminationofWater
shrinkage limit) are often collectively referred to as the
(Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
This standard is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.03 on Texture, Plasticity
and Density Characteristics of Soils. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.02.
Current edition approved June 10, 2000. Published September 2000. Originally Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.03.
published as D 4318 – 83. Last previous edition D 4318 – 98. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.08.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D 4318
D 2487 Practice for Classification of Soils for Engineering 4. Summary of Test Method
Purposes (Unified Soil Classification System)
4.1 The specimen is processed to remove any material
D 3282 Practice for Classification of Soils and Soil-
retained on a 425-µm (No. 40) sieve. The liquid limit is
Aggregate Mixtures for Highway Construction Purposes
determined by performing trials in which a portion of the
D 3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
specimen is spread in a brass cup, divided in two by a grooving
Engaged in the Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock
tool, and then allowed to flow together from the shocks caused
as Used in Engineering Design and Construction
by repeatedly dropping the cup in a standard mechanical
D 4753 Specification for Evaluating, Selecting, and Speci-
device.Themultipointliquidlimit,MethodA,requiresthreeor
fying Balances and Scales for Use in Soil, Rock, and
more trials over a range of water contents to be performed and
Related Construction Materials Testing
the data from the trials plotted or calculated to make a
D 6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechni-
relationship from which the liquid limit is determined. The
cal Data
one-point liquid limit, Method B, uses the data from two trials
E 11 Specification for Wire-Cloth Sieves for Testing Pur-
at one water content multiplied by a correction factor to
poses
determine the liquid limit.
E 177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
4.2 The plastic limit is determined by alternately pressing
ASTM Test Methods
together and rolling into a 3.2-mm ( ⁄8-in.) diameter thread a
E 691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
small portion of plastic soil until its water content is reduced to
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
a point at which the thread crumbles and can no longer be
pressed together and re-rolled. The water content of the soil at
3. Terminology
this point is reported as the plastic limit.
3.1 Definitions: 4.3 The plasticity index is calculated as the difference
between the liquid limit and the plastic limit.
3.1.1 The definitions of terms in this standard are in
accordance with Terminology D 653.
5. Significance and Use
3.2 Description of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 Atterberg Limits—Originally, six “limits of consis- 5.1 Thesetestmethodsareusedasanintegralpartofseveral
tency” of fine-grained soils were defined by Albert Atterberg: engineering classification systems to characterize the fine-
theupperlimitofviscousflow,theliquidlimit,thestickylimit, grained fractions of soils (see Practices D 2487 and D 3282)
the cohesion limit, the plastic limit, and the shrinkage limit. In and to specify the fine-grained fraction of construction mate-
current engineering usage, the term usually refers only to the rials (see Specification D 1241). The liquid limit, plastic limit,
liquid limit, plastic limit, and in some references, the shrinkage and plasticity index of soils are also used extensively, either
limit. individually or together, with other soil properties to correlate
3.2.2 consistency—therelativeeasewithwhichasoilcanbe with engineering behavior such as compressibility, hydraulic
deformed. conductivity (permeability), compactibility, shrink-swell, and
3.2.3 liquid limit (LL, w )—the water content, in percent, of
shear strength.
L
a soil at the arbitrarily defined boundary between the semi- 5.2 The liquid and plastic limits of a soil and its water
liquid and plastic states.
content can be used to express its relative consistency or
3.2.3.1 Discussion—The undrained shear strength of soil at liquidity index. In addition, the plasticity index and the
the liquid limit is considered to be approximately 2 kPa (0.28
percentage finer than 2-µm particle size can be used to
psi). determine its activity number.
3.2.4 plastic limit (PL, w )—the water content, in percent,
5.3 These methods are sometimes used to evaluate the
p
of a soil at the boundary between the plastic and semi-solid weathering characteristics of clay-shale materials. When sub-
states. jected to repeated wetting and drying cycles, the liquid limits
3.2.5 plastic soil—a soil which has a range of water content of these materials tend to increase. The amount of increase is
over which it exhibits plasticity and which will retain its shape considered to be a measure of a shale’s susceptibility to
on drying. weathering.
3.2.6 plasticity index (PI)—the range of water content over 5.4 The liquid limit of a soil containing substantial amounts
which a soil behaves plastically. Numerically, it is the differ- of organic matter decreases dramatically when the soil is
ence between the liquid limit and the plastic limit. oven-dried before testing. Comparison of the liquid limit of a
3.2.7 liquidity index—theratio,expressedasapercentageof sample before and after oven-drying can therefore be used as a
(1) the water content of a soil minus its plastic limit, to (2) its qualitative measure of organic matter content of a soil (see
plasticity index. Practice D 2487).
3.2.8 activity number (A)—the ratio of (1) the plasticity
NOTE 1—The quality of the result produced by this standard is
index of a soil to (2) the percent by mass of particles having an
dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it and the
equivalent diameter smaller than 2 µm.
suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the
criteriaofPracticeD 3740,generally,areconsideredcapableofcompetent
and objective testing/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are
cautioned that compliance with Practice D 3740 does not in itself assure
reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D 3740
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.09.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02. provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.
D 4318
cam and follower so that the cup height remains constant over the last 20
6. Apparatus
to 45° of cam rotation.
6.1 Liquid Limit Device—A mechanical device consisting
6.1.5 Carriage, constructed in a way that allows convenient
ofabrasscupsuspendedfromacarriagedesignedtocontrolits
but secure adjustment of the height-of-drop of the cup to 10
drop onto a hard rubber base. Fig. 1 shows the essential
mm (0.394 in.), and designed such that the cup and cup hanger
features and critical dimensions of the device. The device may
assembly is only attached to the carriage by means of a
be operated by either a hand crank or electric motor.
removable pin. See Fig. 2 for definition and determination of
6.1.1 Base—AhardrubberbasehavingaTypeDDurometer
the height-of-drop of the cup.
hardness of 80 to 90, and resilience rebound of at least 77 %
6.1.6 Motor Drive (Optional)—As an alternative to the
but no more than 90 %. Conduct resilience tests on the finished
hand crank shown in Fig. 1, the device may be equipped with
base with the feet attached. Details for measuring the resilience
a motor to turn the cam. Such a motor must turn the cam at
of the base are given in Annex A1.
2 6 0.1 revolutions per second and must be isolated from the
6.1.2 Rubber Feet, supporting the base, designed to provide
rest of the device by rubber mounts or in some other way that
isolation of the base from the work surface, and having a Type
prevents vibration from the motor being transmitted to the rest
A Durometer hardness no greater than 60 as measured on the
of the apparatus. It must be equipped with an ON-OFF switch
finished feet attached to the base.
and a means of conveniently positioning the cam for height-
6.1.3 Cup, brass, with a mass, including cup hanger, of 185
of-drop adjustments.The results obtained using a motor-driven
to 215 g.
device must not differ from those obtained using a manually
6.1.4 Cam—Designed to raise the cup smoothly and con-
operated device.
tinuously to its maximum height, over a distance of at least
6.2 Flat Grooving Tool—A tool made of plastic or
180° of cam rotation, without developing an upward or
noncorroding-metal having the dimensions shown in Fig. 3.
downward velocity of the cup when the cam follower leaves
The design of the tool may vary as long as the essential
the cam. (The preferred cam motion is a uniformly accelerated
dimensions are maintained. The tool may, but need not,
lift curve.)
incorporate the gage for adjusting the height-of-drop of the
NOTE 2—The cam and follower design in Fig. 1 is for uniformly
liquid limit device.
accelerated (parabolic) motion after contact and assures that the cup has
no velocity at drop off. Other cam designs also provide this feature and NOTE 3—Prior to the adoption of this test method, a curved grooving
may be used. However, if the cam-follower lift pattern is not known, zero tool was specified as part of the apparatus for performing the liquid limit
velocity at drop off can be assured by carefully filing or machining the test. The curved tool is not considered to be as accurate as the flat tool
FIG. 1 Hand-Operated Liquid Limit Device
D 4318
FIG. 2 Calibration for Height-of-Drop
FIG. 3 Grooving Tool (Optional Height-of-Drop Gage Attached)
described in 6.2 since it does not control the depth of the soil in the liquid
6.4 Water Content Containers—Small corrosion-resistant
limit cup. However, there are some data which indicate that typically the
containers with snug-fitting lids for water content specimens.
liquid limit is slightly increased when the flat tool is used instead of the
Aluminum or stainles
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.